Athena *** Who was Athena? The goddess Athena features in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology relating to the Odyssey, the Iliad, Bellerophon, Perseus and Medusa, Argus, Cadmus and the Dragon's Teeth. Athena was also the goddess of spinning and weaving; and she herself could weave the most beautiful cloths of many colors. Perseus and Athena Athena and Athens Athens was her chosen seat and her own city. Athens was awarded to her during the reign of Cecrops , the first king of Athens, as the prize of a contest with Poseidon, who also aspired to it. The goddess Athena was involved in a contest with Poseidon, the god of the sea. Athena planted an olive tree in Athens which was seen as a highly prized gift. Her paramount importance to the Athenians is seen in her wonderful temple, the Parthenon, which still crowns the Acropolis in the modern city of Athens.

Athena (Roman Counterpart was Minerva) When the Roman Empire conquered the Greeks in 146BC, the Romans assimilated various elements from other cultures and civilisations, including the gods and goddesses that were worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. Many of the Greek gods and goddesses, such as Athena, were therefore adopted by the Romans but were given Latin names. The Roman counterpart of Athena was Minerva. Facts about Athena The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Athena: Who was Athena? The goddess Athena features in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology relating to the Odyssey, the Iliad, Bellerophon, Perseus and Medusa, Argus, Cadmus and the Dragon's Teeth. Athena was also the goddess of spinning and weaving; and she herself could weave the most beautiful cloths of many colors.

Athena Profile & Fact File Personality: Brave, practical, fearless Appearance: Tall, slim wore armor and carried weapons Role & Function: The function of Athena is described as being the goddess of wisdom, defense, strategic warfare and handicrafts Status: A Major goddess and one of the Twelve Olympians Symbols: Owl and the olive tree Alternative Names: Pallas Athena and Athene Gender: Female Roman Counterpart: The Roman name for this goddess was Minerva Name of Husband: Unmarried, no children Name of Father: Zeus Name of Mother: Metis The Family of Athena According to Greek legends and myths the family of Athena were somewhat contradictory. Her parents are described as any of the following: Zeus alone was most commonly named as her parent however alternative myths give Zeus and Metis as her father and mother Athena and Mount Olympus In Greek Mythology the principle Greek gods, that included Athena, were referred to as the Twelve Olympians and lived on the summit of Mount Olympus which was protected by a special layer of clouds. The gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus attended sumptuous banquets in the council-chamber of the gods and feasted on ambrosia (the food of the gods) and nectar (the drink of the gods).

The names of the twelve Olympian gods were Zeus, Hera, Hestia or Dionysus, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Demeter, Artemis, Hephaestus and Hermes. The Greek Gods Family Tree and Genealogy The genealogy of these ancient deities can be established via the Greek gods family tree which also provides an overview of the relationship of Athena to the other Greek gods and deities. The Greek gods family tree and genealogy provides an overview of her relationship to the other Greek gods and deities. The Symbols of Athena - the Significance of the Owl Athena honored the owl by making him her favourite among feathered creatures, impressed by its great eyes and solemn appearance. Athena's bird was a Little Owl, (Athene noctua) which protected and inhabited the Acropolis of Athens in great numbers. As the symbol of the goddess, the Owl was seen as a protector and symbols of the owl accompanied Greek armies to war and providing determination and inspiration. If an Owl flew over Greek Soldiers before a battle it was seen as a sign of victory.

The Symbols of Athena In the sculptures, vases, mosaics and paintings of Greek Art the goddess Athena was often illustrated with images representing her symbols the owl, her chariot, weapons and armor, the serpent or snake and the olive tree. She invented the plow, bridle, rake, ox yoke, chariot, and flute. The snake is the symbol of the creative power of wisdom. The aegis, a shield depicting the head of Medusa, represents its protective power. The helmet and spear relate to the fact that wisdom and strategy is the key to victory in war.

The symbols of Athena were: The Owl The symbol of the owl is closely associated with wisdom and victory The Olive Tree The symbol of the olive tree relates to the gift she offered to Cecrops, the first king of Athens The Serpent or Snake The snake or serpent is often depicted at the feet of the goddess as a symbol of the creative power of wisdom The Symbols of weapons and armor - Helmet and Spear The weapons reflect the strategic approach of the goddess and her preparation for war - a symbol of victory The Aegis The Aegis was a small shield bearing and engraving of the head of Medusa The Chariot The goddess was credited with inventing the chariot Myths and Legends about Athena in Greek Mythology The most famous myths and legends relating to Athena are: The Myth relating to the ' Apple of Discord ' that started the chain of events that led to the Trojan War The story of the boastful Arachne , who was turned into a spider The myth of the myth of Cadmus and the dragon's teeth Arachne turned into a spider Athena - Greek Gods & Greek Mythology for Kids Athena, the Greek goddess of Wisdom, was one of the extraordinary number of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Ancient Greeks.

The legend and myth about Athena has been passed down through the ages and plays an important role the history of the Ancient World and the study of the Greek classics. Athena features in the religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks which are based on the idea that these supernatural beings resembled mortals but possessed great magical and mystic powers. Picture of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom defeating Ares, the god of war The Greek gods and goddesses were immortal but not invulnerable. The Greek Gods including Athena lived on the summit of the mythical Mount Olympus Athena looked and dressed like a mortal, ate and slept and was able to marry and have children The Greek gods and goddesses were more beautiful, taller and stronger than mere mortals Greek gods and goddesses, such as Athena, possessed supernatural powers and presided over specific dominions and were strongly associated with areas of power. Athena is known as the Greek goddess of Wisdom.

Athena Interesting information and Facts about the Greek goddess Athena Athena, the Greek goddess of Wisdom Stories and Legends in Greek Mythology associated with Athena Facts and information about the Gods and Deities of the Ancient World for schools and kids Athena, the Greek goddess of Wisdom Athena Athena See More Athena Pictures > Athena was the Greek virgin goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. She was the daughter of Zeus ; her birth is unique in that she did not have a mother. Instead, she sprang full grown and clad in armour from Zeus ' forehead. She was fierce and brave in battle; however, she only took part in wars that defended the state and home from outside enemies. She was the patron of the city, handcraft, and agriculture. She invented the bridle, which permitted man to tame horses, the trumpet, the flute, the pot, the rake, the plow, the yoke, the ship, and the chariot. She was the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. She was Zeus ' favourite child and was allowed to use his weapons including his thunderbolt. Her holy tree was the olive tree and she was often symbolised as an owl.

She became the patron goddess of Athens after winning a contest against Poseidon by offering the olive tree to the Athenians. It is evident that Athena and Athens derive from the same root; Athens (or Athenae) is in plural form, because it represents the sisterhood of the goddess that existed there. Similarly, Athena was called Mykene in the city of Mycenae (also a plural after the respective sisterhood), and Thebe in the city of Thebes (or Thebae, both plural forms). Athena Is also called Minerva, Athina, Athene. What Are the Goddess Athena's Symbols? By N.S. Gill Updated March 20, 2016. The Greek goddess Athena had her fair share of representation, but what exactly symbolized the goddess's presence? They include: her sacred animal, the well-known owl - often seen on coins from Athens, her favorite city, her aegis, a goatskin breastplate emblazoned with the head of the monster Medusa , which Perseus gave to Athena, his patroness, a round shield, to defend the mistress of warfare, and a helmet - carried in her hand, if not on her head.

Symbols of Athena also include objects sacred to her, including the rooster or cock, a lance , signifying her role as goddess of tactical warfare, the olive , symbolic of Athens, and a serpent, perhaps the guardian snake of the Athenian Acropolis . -Edited by Carly Silver Athena • Facts and Information on Greek Goddess Athena Athena Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War Athena, also referred to as Athene, is a very important goddess of many things. She is goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. She is known most specifically for her strategic skill in warfare and is often portrayed as companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavour. Athena was born from Zeus after he experienced an enormous headache and she sprang fully grown and in armour from his forehead. She has no mother but one of the most commonly cited stories is that Zeus lay with Metis, the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom, and then swallowed her whole as he feared she will give birth to a child more powerful than him because of a prophecy – but she had already conceived. Facts about Athena Athena was the Goddess of War, the female counterpart of Ares.

She was the daughter of Zeus; no mother bore her. She sprang from Zeus’s head, full-grown and clothed in armor. She was Zeus’s favorite child. According to Homer’s account in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior. In the Odyssey, she was angry and unforgiving. In the course of the Trojan War, she struck Ajax with madness. Known for protecting civilized life, she was the Goddess of the City. According to some sources, Athena was praised for her compassion and generosity. Athena was a patron of the arts and crafts, especially when it came to spinning and weaving. In later poetry, Athena embodied wisdom and rational thought. Athena served as a guardian of Athens, where the Parthenon served as her temple. Zeus trusted her to wield the aegis and his thunderbolt. Her most important festival was the Panathenaea, which was celebrated annually at Athens. She is referred to in poetry as “gray-eyed.” The owl was her bird, and the olive tree was hers. She turned the weaver Arachne into a spider after the mortal woman insulted Athena and the Olympian gods.

Athena reared Ericthonius, son of Hephaestus. He was half man, half serpent. Athena put the infant in a chest and gave it to others to watch over, forbidding them to open it. When they did, she drove them mad as punishment. She is one of three virgin goddesses; the other two were Hestia and Artemis. Athena invented the flute, but she never played it. Hermes and Athena went to the aid of Perseus in his quest to kill Medusa. Looking directly at Medusa would turn any man to stone, so Athena provided Perseus with her polished shield. Using it, he was able to see Medusa as if looking in a mirror. Again, Athena guided his hand as he cut off Medusa’s head with his sword. Hera and Athena fought against Paris in the Trojan War since he had awarded the Golden Apple to Aphrodite. The sacred image of Athena, a wood statue called the Palladium, protected the Trojans as long as they had it. Odysseus and Diomedes executed a plan to steal the image, greatly encouraging the Greeks in their hopes to end the long-suffering war.

Athena helped Hercules when, as a part of his penance, he was required to drive away the Stymphalian birds. She got them moving, and Hercules shot them. Link/cite this page If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. <a href="">Athena: - Greek Gods & Goddesses, September 19, 2014 Link will appear as Athena: - Greek Gods & Goddesses, September 19, 2014 Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War ATHENA FACTS Goddess Gallery - Athena ATHENA: Athena Plaque from the Ancient Sculpture Garden By ~ Aethyia ~ A Level I Final Project for The Sacred Three Goddess School ï¿½ 2010.ï¿½ All original material in this site is under copyright protection and is the intellectual property of the author. ORIGINS While Athena may be best known as one of the Olympian Goddesses of Greece, there is ample evidence to suggest that Her worship is far older than the Olympians and ranged far beyond the shores of Greece.

While She is often described simply as a Goddess of War, Her actual nature is far more complex. In many ways, we will see that She has evolved alongside humanity, continuing even to the present day to be a vital source of Wisdom. HER ORIGIN AND PRESENCE IN VARIOUS CULTURES The many tales of the Wisdom Goddess' long life are quite diverse. There are a number of theories about Her origin. There are some scholars who identify Her evolution by examining Her symbols. Marija Gimbutas is foremost in this approach.ï¿½ Scholars of this type tend to see Athenaï¿½s origin as widespread throughout the Mediterranean and the spread of Her worship and the changes in Her imagery, a result of evolution. There are others, like Robert Graves, who, rely upon the historical documents of authors such as Herodotus and Plato. These see the spread of Her worship as having occurred as a result of migrations and interactions of tribes of people. There are also those writers, such as Norma Lorre Goodrich who believe that Athena is the Goddess of a patriarchalï¿½ culture which merged the identities of a number of Goddesses into one who is ultimately their own creation.

What is particularly interesting about Athena is that there are also those who perceive Her as still playing an active role in the spiritual lives of humanity, in a manner that is quite different from her earlier mythos. In this role, writers such as Helena Blavatsky and Christopher Penczak, identify Her not only as Goddess and also as an Ascended Master; a guiding force for Light workers and Theosophists. Marija Gimbutas identifies Athenaï¿½s presence in the world as early as the Neolithic-Chalcolithic era. During this early incarnation, she appeared as the Bird Goddess: ï¿½"borne in the womb of mythical water...the primordial element."(1) This imagery may remind us of many other tales of the origin of life, in which the divine element rises above the waters of chaos, Her spirit soaring, ready to create. From the primitive past, Athena evolved yet maintained an aspect of Her earlier self. Marija Gimbutas writes: "Athena; the bird-form has been shed but Athena is occasionally winged and the bird is her attribute.

She sometimes appears in the semblance of a sea eagle, a gull, a swallow, a vulture, or a dove." (2) Athena is particularly identified with the Owl. She is frequently seen in ancient sculptures and in mythic tales with Her Owl. This association is also found in one of Her many titles: Athena Glaukopis. This title has layers of meaning. Glau is generally translated as ï¿½gleamingï¿½ (and sometimes grey or bluish grey) and Ops is translated as ï¿½eyesï¿½, giving us the meaning: Goddess with the Gleaming Eyes. But Glaux is also the word for Owl and so we might think of Her as Owl Eyes, the Wise One who can see Truth in the Darkness. (3) (She is holding up Her owl inï¿½ figure 3, above.) The imagery of Her roots as Bird Goddess is also retained in the form of Nike, the winged Goddess of Victory, seen in numerous sculptures standing in the hand of the Goddess. (See Figure 4) Athena Nike is also a title of Athena and so we might interpret this imagery to mean that Nike is another aspect of Athena.

It is not often that we see Athena as winged Herself, but we do find her winged in Figure 5. Another aspect of Athena that links Her with the far distant past is Her very strong association with snakes. If we look at art work depicting Athena we find that She is almost always accompanied by or adorned with snakes. In some cases She is frequently seen wearing a gown of living snakes; holding a spear around which snakes are entwined or carrying a shield upon which one or more snakes are drawn. (Note that in Figure 5, Athena is both winged and wearing the gown of living snakes) Marija Gimbutas sees a relationship between the two sets of imagery, of bird and snake.ï¿½ She writes: "Is this imagery not an inheritance from a deeper antiquity, from times when the cosmic Bird Goddess has as her counterpart a Cosmic Snake?" (4) Athena's snake symbolism is represented in Her temples. Buffie Johnson examined the language of symbols in two of Athenaï¿½s temples; one in Mycenaean Knossos, where she was known as Potnia Atana and the other in Athens (allegedly built due to her gift of the olive tree).

She informs us that in both temples we find: ï¿½"the same cluster of symbols found later in Genesis: woman, tree and serpent. Athena herself is the goddess of wisdom and so it makes sense that the problem in Eden revolves around a tree of knowledge" (5) (Note that in Figure 7, Below, Athena Hygieia is seen leaning against a tree and the snake is climbing the tree. ) Though many writers of Classical Greece inform us that Athena was born of the head of Zeus, there are also those who questioned the true origin of their Goddess.ï¿½ The philosopher Plato (429 - 347 BC) suggested that Athena was originally known as Neith, a multi-faceted Goddess of Egypt, worshipped since the Pre-dynastic period. But Neith was said to have originated in Libya. There are many writers who ï¿½identify Athena's origin as North African. (6) Martin Bernal proposes that the worship of Neith/Athena was imported from Egypt to Greece in the third/second millennia. (7) Robert Graves proposes that the worship of Athena was brought from North Africa to Crete as early as 4000 BC.

He suggests a complex origin, from both Libya and Egypt and proposes that Her name was derived from Anna, or Ath-anna, an inversion of Anatha, another name for Neith.ï¿½ (8) In the White Goddess, Robert Graves relates various stories of Her life as a Goddess in Libya, worshipped in a culture that honored the female warrior. This association with the Amazon culture of North Africa is shared by both Neith and Athena, and there are other scholars who support the idea that Athena was at one time worshipped by Amazons. (9) (10) A commonly told tale of the origin of Her name - Pallas Athena- ï¿½is that she once had a constant companion named Pallas. One day the two young women were practicing their fighting skills and Athena accidentally killed Her friend. She grieved deeply and added Pallas' name to Her own so that she would never be forgotten. (11) Graves also suggests ï¿½that according to even earlier accounts, Athene was a Sea Goddess, worshipped in Libya and Cyprus.ï¿½ Graves provides a variety of theories, which may indicate Athena's connection to the Sea.

Athena, for example, ï¿½is associated with Lake Triton. In one account, Graves reports, Athena is the daughter of Triton, a sea god. In another she is the daughter of the Sea Goddess Amphitrite. In other accounts she is the daughter or even consort of Poseidon. Graves suggests that Poseidonï¿½ became a sea god when he conquered the Peloponnese and the Gulf of Corinth andï¿½ married the Sea Goddess, Amphitrite,ï¿½ who is also an incarnation of the moon. Graves states that Amphitrite is one of Athena's many titles. (12) While these various theories of Her origin may be confusing, they establish Athena as a very ancient Goddess of the Mediterranean. Both Patricia Moynihan and Charlene Spretnak agree that Athena was worshipped in Crete.ï¿½ Moynihan describes Athena as a household goddess, "the essence of the family bond, symbolized by the home and its hearth (who) by further extrapolation..was the symbol of the community itself, the larger social unit based on countless homes". (13) Spretnak describes her role as far more significant.

She points out Ath ena's role as an inventor of various tools and the teacher of weaving, architecture, music, and various household arts. (Athena's association with weaving is widespread - from Crete to Egypt - and may explain her association with that other famous weaver: Arachne. ) Spretnak also informs us that the base of Athena's worship existed among the matrifocal peoples ofï¿½ the Peloponnese, as well as, Argos, Aparta, Troy, Smyrna, Epidaurus, Troezen and Pheneus.ï¿½ (14) In later years, these matrifocal tribes would be conquered by a more patriarchal culture, but their Goddess would survive. Her ancient origin would be hidden, for in the new ruling culture, all must be subordinate to the king, particularly the king of the Gods: Zeus. Athena's story was re-written by the Hellenic Greeks, yet hints that Her origin is far older than the Olympian Pantheon, remain embedded in the tale.ï¿½ Norma Lorre Goodrich reminds us of the writings of Hesiod (circa 700 BC).

Hesiod wrote that Athena was conceived parthenogenically by Metis, the Titan Wisdom Goddess. (15)ï¿½ Zeus feared that her child would be greater than he and so he swallowed Metis.ï¿½ Athena was born of Metis, though still inside Zeus.ï¿½ Zeus' head began to pound (as well it should). He called upon Hephaestus to split his head open and Athena leapt out free and fully armored. (16) She is not a product of Her father; She is the survivor of an earlier age. ATHENAï¿½S MANY ROLES In the art of Classical Greece and Rome, we can easily identify Her, by Her helmet and spear, so we tend to associate Her foremost as a Goddess of War. If we read of Her, however, in the tales of Hellenic Greece we find that She was not a Goddess of the battlefield as much as she was a wise and cunning counselor of warriors and heroes. She helps Odysseus return to his home. (17) She comforts and advises Hercules (see figure 9) throughout his accomplishment of the Twelve Labors.

(18) Athena also leads Theseus to Amphitrite, to obtain the golden ring. (Figure 10) It is suggested by Erich Neumann that this tale demonstrates the Goddess' power to initiate the male, suggestive of her earlier sovereignty. (19) Of course, we also remember that Athena helped Perseus slay Medusa. One might wonder how myths are born and if this last tale was created to explain why Athena is seen so frequently with the head of Medusa upon Her breast. If we consider that Athena was worshipped by the same matrifocal peoples who were later conquered by the Dorian Greeks, it may be that there is a far older explanation, one that was forgotten by the patriarchal tellers of this tale. In Buffie Johnson's Lady of the Beasts, we find the suggestion that the "Gorgon's mask stood for the moon, others saw her as Athena's double... She may well personify Athena's dark side, since Medusa represents the chthonic power of the Great Goddess in the underworld". (20) In figure 11, we see the Medusa upon Athena's breast and her gown adorned with snakes.

Figure 12 In the complex world of Classical Greece, Athena was a multi-dimensional Goddess. She was worshipped as the Goddess of Wisdom, Arts and Crafts. She was Athena Polias, Protector of the City . (21) She was known as Athena Agoraia (the marketplace), Athena Agripha (of agriculture), Athena Hygeia (the healer), Athena Axiopoinas (the wise judge) and Athena Aristobulo who gives wise counsel. (22) Figure 13 Athena, we find, is not associated with the primal force of nature, as is Gaia, or of the elemental powers, as is her rival, Poseidon. Anne Baring and Jules Cashford, write: ï¿½Poseidon provides the horse, while Athena bridles it and builds the chariot; Poseidon rules the waves, while Athena constructs the ship that rides themï¿½Her gift is not the salt spring gushing upwards from the depths of the earth, as is Poseidonï¿½s, but the carefully cultivated olive, whose oil was the prize at her festivalï¿½ (23) Athena is the Goddess who walks with humanity, guiding us in the varied tasks that make up our lives.

Athena inspired people in many lines of work: drama, literature, music, art, weaving, architecture, building, medicine, law, government,ï¿½ business, architecture, and so on. To the philosophers, She was intelligence itself and their special muse.ï¿½ Plato, in particular was devoted to Athena and wrote: That is a graver matter, and there, my friend, the modern interpreters of Homer may, I think, assist in explaining the view of the ancients. For most of these in their explanations of the poet, assert that he meant by Athena "mind" [nous] and "intelligence" [dianoia], and the maker of names appears to have had a singular notion about her; and indeed calls her by a still higher title, "divine intelligence" [Thou noesis], as though he would say: This is she who has the mind better than others.

Nor shall we be far wrong in supposing that the author of it wished to identify this Goddess with moral intelligence [en ethei noesin], and therefore gave her the name ethonoe; which, however, either he or his successors have altered into what they thought a nicer form, and called her Athena.(24) One of the stories of Athena that demonstrates Her gift of intelligence to humanity is from Ovid. According to Ovid, Prometheus created the first people from clay and Athena infused Her spirit into them, awakening their minds (illustrated in Figure 14). (25) (26) Figure 15 Athena, in the role of co-Creatrix of humanity, is recognized in the writings of modern Theosophical writers. Helena Blavatsky describes Her as "the mother of manasputric kumaras", meaning that Athena divided her energy, creating spiritual entities which infused and endowed human beings with intelligence.

(27) EVOLVING AND CONTINUING PRESENCE Zeus may have been right to have feared that the child of Metis would become greater than he, for Athena has continued to be a force in our evolution.ï¿½ Her image is found decorating universities, academic organizations (28), government buildings, the state seal of California, even money!ï¿½ A town is named for Her in Oregon. In Tennessee, Her Parthenon has been reconstructed. Operation Athena is the name for Canada's role in the current conflict in Afghanistan. Their goal is: " to leave Afghanistan to Afghans, in a country that is better governed, more peaceful and more secure." May Athena provide them with the necessary Wisdom to accomplish such a Herculean taskï¿½.but then that is a specialty of Hers. (29) Though Christianity would later replace the old religion and the worship ofï¿½ the Goddess would seem abandoned, the memory of Holy Sophia, enthroned and winged, continues into the modern era. Her worship has been restored by Neo-Pagans. She is invoked by Lightworkers and Theosophists. Athena continues to be recognized as both Goddess and spiritual mentor.

Sheï¿½ is considered a vital part of the evolution of humanity by many Theosophists. One famous Theosophist, Alice Bailey, identifies Athena as a member of the Karmic Board.(30) To many light workers, Athena is an Ascended Master and Guide who can be invoked for guidance and protection. (31) Christopher Penczak, in Ascension Magick, reports that, ï¿½Pallas Athena can be called upon in all matters of wisdom, intelligence and ingenuity. Though a great warrior, she learned how not to fight when it was not necessary, and how to use diplomacy, intelligence and strategy to defeat oneï¿½s enemy.ï¿½ (32) The Goddess of Wisdom continues to communicate Her gifts to many spiritual seekers. My own journey to discovery of the true nature of Athena began when I received a reading from a minister of the New York Spiritualist Church. This meditative experience revealed to me a Being of Light, Wisdom, Protection and Guidance.ï¿½ I find that when I open my spirit to communicate w ith Her, I am filled with Peace. SYMBOLS OF THE GODDESS The following information was found on: ï¿½ website.

(33) General Symbolism: The Sun, a golden shield (frequently adorned with snakes or Medusa), helmet, spear (two snakes sometimes wrapped around the spear, suggestive of the caduceus), the Parthenon, the Seven Auras and the number 7. Notes 1. Gimbutas, Marija, The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe: Myths and Cult Images, (University of California Press:Berkley, CA., 1982), p. 95. 2. Ibid., p. p 148-149. 3. Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, 1940, A Greek-English Lexicon, ISBN 0-19-864226-1 , online version at the Perseus Project . Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, 1940, A Greek-English Lexicon, ISBN 0-19-864226-1 , online version at the Perseus Project . 4. Gimbutas, Marija, p. 148 5.

Johnson, Buffie, Lady of the Beasts: The Goddess and Her Sacred Animals, ï¿½(Inner Traditions: Rochester, Vt., 1994), p.156. 6. Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths, (Penquin Books, London, UK,1992), Chapter 8 pp. 44-45. 7. Bernal, Martin, Black Athena: The Afroasiatic Roots of Classical Civilization (New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1987), 21, 51ï¿½53. 8. Graves, Robert, The White Goddess, (Farrar, Strauss, and Groux: New York, NY), p. 371. (Also, found in The Greek Myths, Chapter 8.) 9. Wilde, Lyn Webster, On the Trail of the Women Warriors: The Amazons in Myth and History, (St. Martin's Press: New York, NY,2000), p. 32 and p. 96. 10.

Salmonson, Jessica Amanda, The Encyclopedia of Amazons, (Paragon House: New York, 1991) See Athena, Gorgons, Medusa. 11. Graves, Robert, The White Goddess, pp. 218, 351-353, 360-361, 371. 12.Ibid, p. 360. 13.Monaghan, Patricia, The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines,ï¿½ (Llewellyn Publications: St. Paul, MN), pp. 59-60. 14.Spretnak, Charlene, Lost Goddesses of Early Greece, (Moon Books, Berkley, CA, 1978), pp. 90-95. 15. Lorre Goodrich, Norma, Priestess, (Franklin Watts: New York, 1989) p 171. 16.Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths, ( Penguin Books, London, UK, 1992) Chapter 8. 17. Ibid. Chapter 171.

18.Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths, Chapter 134. 19.Neumann, Erich, The Great Mother, (Princeton University: Princeton, NY, 1974.) p325 20. Johnson, Buffie, p. 152 21.Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheke, ï¿½3.14.6. 22. 23. Baring, Anne and Cashford, Jules, The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image, (ARKANA/Penquin Books, London, UK, 1993), p. 338 24. Plato, Cratylus, 407b 25. Babcock, Michael, Susan Seddon Boulet: The Goddess Paintings, (Pomegranate Books: San Francisco, CA, 1994), pp. 32-33. 26. Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths, 4 b. "...as yet, there were no ((mortal men until, with the consent of the goddess, Athene, Prometheus...formed them in the likeness of gods.

He used clay and water...and Athene breathed life into them." 27. 31. 32. Penczak, Christopher, Ascension Magick: Ritual, Myth, and Healing for the New Aeon, (Llewellyn Publications: Woodbury, MN, 2007), p. 164. 33. 34. Herodotus, The Histories, (Everyman Press: VT,) pp. 148-149. Illustrations 1. Image from the temple of Athena at Mycenae , c. 625 BC ( National Archaeological Museum of Athens ) - retrieved from 2. 3. Bronze Athena with owl. New York, Metropolitan Museum. retrieved from 4. A neoclassical variant of Athena Promachos stands in front of the Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna. Retrieved from 5. 6. 7. Athena Hygieia from Delos (side view) in which Athena is leaning against a tree and the snake is climbing the tree. From the Popylaeum (gate).Delos Museum, A7780 retrived from 8. 9.

This is a bronze statue of the fifth century BCE. Athens, National Archaeological Museumï¿½ retrieved fromï¿½ 10. Athena and Herakles on an Attic red-figure kylix , 480ï¿½470 BCE. retrieved from wikipedia 11. Attic red figure cup from Caere, Diam. 0.40 m, Attributed to Onesimus Painter, signed by Euphronius Potter, ca. 500-490 BCE Paris, Musï¿½e du Louvre G 104 Theseus, Athena, Amphitrite retrieved from 12.The Athena Giustiniani , a Roman copy of a Greek statue of Pallas Athena with her serpent, Erichthonius. retrieved from wikipedia 13.Minerva as the Head of the Muses by Hans Speckaert (c. 1575)retrieved from 14.Building the ship Argo, Illustration by T. H. Robinson (1937, London, Longmans. retrieved from 15.

Christian Griepenkerl (1839-1916), Treppenhaus des Augusteums, Oldenburg. Retrieved from 16.Closeup of a plaster cast of a Roman sculpture of Athena wearing the scaly aegis - Cambridge University . retrieved from 17. Euro coin commemorating 60 Years of the Second Republic of Austria , featuring Athena Promachos . retrieved from 18. 19.Pallas Athena visits Envy, 1652. Painting by Karel Dujardin Wien, Gemï¿½ldegalerie der akademie der bildende Kï¿½nste. retrieved from 20. Athena as Lady Alchemia retrieved from Rome, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana Cod. Pal. lat. 1066, f. 224V., 227, 230V., 239 21.Minerva victorious over Ignorance, Ignorance is at Athena's feet (bottom right). Painted by Bartholomeus Spranger (c. 1591) Kï¿½nsthistorische Museum, Wien.

Retrieved from 22. Outside the Museum fï¿½r Vor und Frï¿½hgeschichte.ï¿½ Berlin, Vor und Frï¿½hgeschichte Museum. retrieved from 23. Retrieved from A new peplos was woven for Athena and ceremonially brought to dress her cult image ( British Museum ). retrieved from Athena Athena Images and Symbols Athena is recognized through many symbols. In pictures, she is portrayed with a helmet and spear which symbolize wisdom and strategy, the key to victory in war. The aegis is Athena's shield which represents her protective power. She is almost always shown with an owl which stands for wisdom and watchfulness. Athena's symbols and their meaning The aegis is Athena's shield which represents her protective power. The helmet symbolizes that wisdom and strategy is the key to victory in war. The spear represents that wisdom and strategy is the key to victory in war. The owl stands for wisdom and watchfulness. Her bowl represents harmony. The olive branch (Athena's gift to Athens ) stands for peace. The dove represents victory. The eagle stands for imperial power. The tiger, leopard, and lion symbolize might, power, and fierceness.

Female courage is shown through the Tiger Lily. Other symbols are: Athena - Ancient History Encyclopedia Athena by Mark Cartwright published on 24 May 2012 Goddess of wisdom, war and the crafts , and favourite daughter of Zeus , Athena was, perhaps, the wisest, most courageous, and certainly the most resourceful of the Olympian gods. Zeus was told that his son would take his throne from him, just as he had taken power from his father Cronus. Accordingly, when Metis was pregnant, he swallowed her and Athena was born from Zeus’ head, wearing armour and fully grown. A popular theme in ancient art, Hephaistos is often depicted in the role of midwife, splitting Zeus’ head with an axe. Remove Ads Advertisement Epithets of Athena include Pallas (girl) and Parthenos (virgin), living up to which, she is conspicuous amongst the gods for not indulging in illicit relationships with other divinities, demi-gods, or mortals.

Other epithets were Promachos (of war) - perhaps referring to more patriotic, defensive, and strategic warfare , rather than attacking warfare, in contrast to her more aggressive, conflict-loving brother Ares , Ergane (of the crafts), and Nike (victory). Athena was not to be trifled with as her transformation of Medusa into a Gorgon demonstrates. The goddess was not to be trifled with as her transformation of Medusa into a Gorgon demonstrates, and her sense of justice was such that acts of impiety were swiftly avenged, as with the Archaean heroes following their capture of Troy and desecration of the goddess’ sanctuary. Athena is also associated with household crafts, giving mortals the gifts of cooking and sewing. She is said to have invented the aulos but on seeing her reflection and her puffed cheeks when playing these pipes, she threw them away, to be picked up by the satyr Marsyas . Remove Ads Advertisement She is closely associated with Athens , the city named in her honour after the people of Attica chose her as their patron following her gift of the olive tree, symbol of peace and plenty.

The 5th century BCE temple of the Parthenon , which continues to this day to dominate the acropolis of the city, was built in her honour. Her adopted son Erichthonios, one of the first kings of Athens, is traditionally credited with inaugurating the Panathenaic festival, held every four years to honour the goddess. The festival included a magnificent procession through the city, the presentation to Athena of a specially woven peplos (depicting the Gigantomachy), and athletic games. Prizes for the games were amphorae painted with a figure of Athena and contained prime olive oil. In her role as protector, she was also revered in many other major cities , notably as patron of Sparta , as the founder of Thebes in Boeotia, and at Corinth where she appeared on the city’s coins. Protector of Herakles , Athena often aids him in his twelve labours, for example, by helping him hold the world as Atlas searches for the sacred apples of the Hesperides. Perseus was another favourite and was given a shield to protect himself in his quest to kill Medusa.

Achilles is helped to kill Hektor, and Odysseus too was often given the benefit of Athena’s wisdom, for example the idea to dress as a beggar on his return to Ithaca, and he is also protected from the arrows of his rivals when he clears the palace of the interlopers. Jason was yet another hero who benefitted from Athena’s resourcefulness when she encouraged Argo to build the first Greek long ship which would carry his name and the fame of the Argonauts. Athena was a major protagonist in Homer ’s account of the Trojan War in the Iliad where she supports the Archaeans and their heroes, especially Achilles, to whom she gives encouragement and wise counsel, Menelaos, who is saved from the arrow of Pandaros, and Diomedes, whose spear, in one notable episode, is diverted to injure Ares himself. Aphrodite was another divinity who came off second best when she clashed with Athena. She also gave protection to Odysseus and is credited with giving him the idea of the Wooden Horse. Both Homer and Hesiod refer to Athena as ‘bright-eyed’ and ‘Tritogeneia’.

She is also frequently called ‘goddess of spoil’, the ‘lovely-haired goddess’, and ‘Alalkomenaian Athena’ Remove Ads Advertisement Objects associated with the goddess include an owl - symbol of wisdom - and the olive tree. She is often depicted in art with armour, a golden helmet, a shield, and holding a spear. Her armour is the aegis made, in some accounts, from the skin of a Giant, hung with tassels of gold , and featuring the head of the Gorgon given to her by Perseus. The most famous representation of Athena in the ancient world was undoubtedly the monumental gold and ivory statue of the goddess by Pheidias which resided in the Parthenon of Athens and was over 12 m high. The statue has been lost but survives in the form of smaller Roman copies and shows Athena standing majestic, fully armed, holding Nike in her right hand and with a shield in her left depicting scenes from the Battles of the Amazons and the Giants. On her helmet were a sphinx and two griffins. Celebrated surviving depictions of Athena include friezes from the Parthenon and metopes from the temple of Zeus at Olympia .

Question: Which bird was the symbol of the goddess Athena?
Answer: Owl